System and method for shaping a duct section

Abstract

System and method for shaping a duct section. The duct section is configured to be expandable from a flattened configuration to an expanded configuration. The system includes an inflatable enclosure insertable within the duct section while being in the flattened configuration. The inflatable enclosure defines an opening for inflating the inflatable enclosure. The system also includes a blower for inflating the inflatable enclosure through the opening from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration. In use, when the inflatable enclosure is inserted within the duct section, the blower inflates the inflatable enclosure through the opening from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration, whereby the duct section expands from the flattened configuration to the expanded configuration as the inflatable enclosure pushes against the duct section from within.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for shaping a semi-rigid duct section prior to installation of the semi-rigid duct section at an installation site, the semi-rigid duct section being configured to be manually shapeable, the semi-rigid duct section being configured to expand from a flattened configuration to an expanded configuration, the system comprising:
 an inflatable enclosure insertable within the semi-rigid duct section while being in the flattened configuration, prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, the inflatable enclosure defining an opening for inflating the inflatable enclosure; and   a blower for inflating the inflatable enclosure through the opening from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site;   wherein when the inflatable enclosure is inserted within the semi-rigid duct section, the blower inflates the inflatable enclosure through the opening from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration, prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, whereby the semi-rigid duct section expands from the flattened configuration to the expanded configuration as the inflatable enclosure pushes against the semi-rigid duct section from within, and wherein when the inflatable enclosure is deflated via the opening then the inflatable enclosure is removed from within the semi-rigid duct section, prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site;   wherein the inflatable enclosure includes a handle for removing the inflatable enclosure from within the semi-rigid duct section.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a cap for closing the opening and sealing the inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable enclosure comprises plastic material, aramid material, fabric material or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is provided with a rope for assisting in removing the inflatable enclosure from within the semi-rigid duct section. 
     
     
         5 . A method for shaping a semi-rigid duct section prior to installation of the semi-rigid duct section at an installation site, the semi-rigid duct section being configured to be manually shapeable, the semi-rigid duct section being configured to expand from a flattened configuration to an expanded configuration, the method comprising:
 prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, inserting an inflatable enclosure within the semi-rigid duct section while being in the flattened configuration, the inflatable enclosure defining an opening for inflating the inflatable enclosure;   prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, inflating the inflatable enclosure with a blower through the opening from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, whereby the semi-rigid duct section expands from the flattened configuration to the expanded configuration as the inflatable enclosure pushes against the semi-rigid duct section from within;   prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, deflating the inflatable enclosure via the opening; and   after said deflating, prior to the installation of the semi-rigid duct section at the installation site, removing the inflatable enclosure from within the semi-rigid duct section.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising closing the opening with a cap or valve for sealing the inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising installing a ring around an end of the semi-rigid duct section to maintain the expanded configuration of the semi-rigid duct section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising deflating the inflatable enclosure after the semi-rigid duct section has reached the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inflatable enclosure includes a handle and said removing includes pulling the inflatable enclosure by the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is provided with a rope and said removing includes pulling the inflatable enclosure by the rope.